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UK puts £178m into rockets and SaxaVord in new space strategy

By SpaceEnergy 08 September 2026 1 min read
UK puts £178m into rockets and SaxaVord in new space strategy
Credit: SpaceEnergy

(SpaceEnergy) The UK government has earmarked £148m for European rocket programmes and £30m for SaxaVord Spaceport under a new national space strategy backed by £7.8bn to 2030.

The government said the strategy will concentrate resources on four priority subsectors, including assured access to space, alongside satellite communications, space domain awareness and in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing.

The £148m allocation is intended to support European rocket programmes, while £30m will go to SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland. The government said the investment is aimed at enabling Britain and European partners to launch satellites without relying on more distant countries and at supporting domestic jobs.

A further £40m is allocated to in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing technologies. The government also plans to waive operator liability for qualifying innovative missions launched before the end of 2030, including lunar and in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing missions.

The UK Space Agency, Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and Ministry of Defence published the strategy on 8 September. It replaces the 2021 National Space Strategy.

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